Adjustable electrically controlled livestock marking apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for marking livestock and other articles includes a pivoted support structure for a marking head. The support structure contacts the animal and adjusts the marking head position appropriately for marking the animal. An electrical switch detects the presence of the livestock within the support structure, formed as a hood for contacting the animal to be marked, and activates a number of solenoids, in a predetermined sequence, for marking the animal. The marking control circuitry includes solenoids for inking the marking head and for reinking the inking pad. A control is provided for adjusting the number of times an animal is to be marked in a pass through the apparatus.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for marking articles comprising: a first arm pivotally mounted for rotation about a first axis and having a marking means thereon;   a second arm pivotally mounted for rotation about a second axis for contacting said first arm and causing said first arm to pivot about said first axis;   first power means for causing rotation of said second arm about said second axis;   sensing means for detecting the presence of said article and activating said first power means in response to said presence; and   receiving means for directing one of said articles to a position such that said marking means may contact said article;   said sensing means comprising   first switch means responsive to the presence of said article;   second power means responsive to said first switch means for rotating an ink pad means from a position in contact with said marking means to a position not in contact with said marking means;   inking means responsive to the position of said ink pad means for supplying ink to said ink pad means when said ink pad means is not in contact with said marking means;   wherein said first power means is responsive to the position of said ink pad means and is activated when said ink pad means is not in contact with said marking means.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus for marking articles as recited in claim 1 wherein said articles include livestock, and wherein said receiving means comprises: (a) hood means for contacting the back of livestock to be marked; and   (b) linkage means connected to said hood means for positioning said hood means on said livestock moving through said apparatus for marking.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus for marking articles as recited in claim 2 wherein said linkage means includes a plurality of pivoted links connected to said hood means, and a counterweight support connected to at least one of said links for reducing support required to be provided by said livestock for said hood means and for enabling elevation of said hood means with reduced effort by said livestock. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for marking articles as recited in claim 3 wherein said guide means comprises a chute directing said livestock to said hood means. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for marking articles as recited in claim 4 wherein said marking means comprises tattooing means for tattooing said livestock. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first power means, said first arm, and said second arm automatically reset after a marking operation, and further comprising time delay switch means comprising a second switch in series with said first switch means which opens after a predetermined time interval for permiting a predetermined number of marking operations for each article.   
     
     
       7. Apparatus for tattooing an animal comprising: (a) chute means for confining said animal to a predetermined path,   (b) hood means supported above said chute, comprising an element having an axis parallel to said path,   (c) a first arm pivotally mounted to said hood means for rotation about a first axis parallel to said path,   (d) means for tattooing attached to one end of said first arm,   (e) ink pad means pivotally mounted to said hood means for contacting said tattooing means when said first arm is in a rest position and for also pivoting away from said tattooing means,   (f) second arm means mounted on said hood means for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said path and having one end adapted to contact said first arm to thereby rotate said first arm about said first axis,   (g) first power means for pivoting said second arm about said second axis, in response to a first power signal,   (h) second power means for rotating said ink pad means in response to a second signal,   (i) sensing means for sensing the presence of an animal in a predetermined position under said hood means and on said path and for supplying said second signal to said second power means when said animal is in said position,   (j) switch means for sensing a predetermined position of said ink pad means and for supplying said first power signal to said first power means when said ink pad means is in said predetermined position,   whereby said animal will be automatically tattooed as it moves along said path.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: (k) automatic inking means for supplying fresh ink to said ink pad means in response to a signal indicating the position of said ink pad means.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said hood means has an opening to allow said tattooing means to pass through to mark said animal.